Posted on 05/22/2022 10:32:35 AM PDT by chrisinoc
An elderly hiker who was missing for six days was found dead in a rugged forest in Arizona with his loyal dog still alive at his side, officials said.
The body of 74-year-old Donald Hayes was located by authorities on Wednesday near Mingus Mountain in north-central Arizona — about 85 miles north of Phoenix, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.
When responders arrived on scene, they found Hayes’ dog, Ranger, “very dehydrated and malnourished,” lying next to his body, officials said.
Responders took the pup to an animal hospital before he was returned to Hayes’ wife, a sheriff’s office spokesperson said.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
Prayers for his loved ones.
I don’t understand solo hiking.
Unfortunate. Sad.
Sad. RIP.
Best doggo of the year award. If I am dying I can’t think of a more comforting companion to see me off. Best yet the dog gets to take my couch spot at home with my surviving family in this case.
I get your point though, but having done some deep country backpacking I can think of few other ways of finding a similar sense of peace and solitude.
That said, I never went anywhere without giving a few people my plans, maps of my route(s) and schedule with a hard and fast, "contact this list of authorities in the event you haven't heard from me by such a date and time."
What a good dog. Stayed beside the dead owner.
I’m not a solo hiker but I understand it. It’s a risk you decide is worth taking. You want to get away from it all to that degree.
Solo hiking and solo swimming. Solo walks at night too. Not smart all three.
Your cats will start eating you, before you get cold.
Eyeballs first.
From CBS News.com, not reported by NY Compost.
“Hayes took his dog, Ranger, a black and white Labrador with him on the hike and the dog, after being found lying next to Hayes’ body, was taken to an animal hospital for treatment before being returned to Hayes’ wife, said Kristin Greene, a sheriff’s spokesperson.”
White mark on the dog’s face looks like a Pit Bull mix to me.
Prayers for his loved ones.
I don’t understand solo hiking.
I don’t have problems with hiking solo but I would never ignore the instructions of potential rescuers. Not only do you put your life in danger but your rescuers too.
I got a time out here at Free Republic for cussing too much after I read a story here.
A British Soldier was shot and killed in Afghanistan. He was a dog handler.
They took the Soldier’s body back to the base.
His dog lay down beside him and died.
Dogs are amazing.
The Soldier and dog were placed in a hearse and driven around England.
Service dogs and handlers lined the streets to pay their respects to the pair.
Dogs have good reason to hate humans, yet they still love us.
Solo hiking is inconsequential. He coulda had a heart attack in his home surrounded by people. Is it clear that someone with him could have done anything anyway besides notify someone where his carcass was?
There are much worse ways to go.
Solitude is kinda nice sometimes. Some people really cherish it.
Never been a cat fan with rare exception. And yes they will. I have a cat door in the downstairs window for the cat to come and go as she pleases. More go is preferred.
It’s an individual decision.
Besides, he had his dog.
“Not only do you put your life in danger but your rescuers too”
Oh baloney. The rescuers and SAR types are 100% volunteer. They live for a SAR. It’s their bungee jump, their bat signal, their adrenaline thrill. They lay in bed at night touching themselves hoping for a SAR.
Then they love to play the heavy burden game, and tell you of the hardships they bear on behalf of you...you, the lesser outdoorsman. BTW, on weekends, guess what the SAR people do? That’s right, they solo hike and mountain climb.
That old saw is comical.
I don’t understand people who don’t love dogs.
🤣
That said, I never went anywhere without giving a few people my plans, maps of my route(s) and schedule with a hard and fast, “contact this list of authorities in the event you haven’t heard from me by such a date and time.”
In my college days I explored a cave system on the VA/WV border with a local spelunking group that took us a lot longer to do that planned. By the time we got out and called in, the rescue group had begun to assemble back at the school.
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